1. Continental meeting of Pallottine Formators in Africa

The annual meeting of the General Secretariat for Formation took place in Kibeho in Rwanda from the 20th to the 28th of February 2012, on the occasion of the meeting of Pallottines responsible for Formation in Africa. The work therefore took place in two stages: A. The meeting of the General Secretariat for Formation. All of the members of the Secretariat were present (Fr. François Harelimana, Fr. Derry Murphy (IR), Fr. Mariusz Malkiewicz (WA), Fr. Romuald Uzabumwana (SF), Fr. Valdeci De Almeida (SP), Br. Stephen Buckley (IR) e Fr. Antony Dhas (NA)). The following points were laid out in the agenda: 1) Reflect on the decisions of the XX General Assembly with respect to formation; 2) Draw up the evaluation forms which will be used by formators; 3) The Newsletter "Bethlemme": plan all of the numbers for 2012; 4) The summer Courses which take place in the International Centre of Pallottine formation; 5) The conference on the vocation of Brothers in the SAC, planned to take place in Poland from the 9th to the 14th of March 2013. B. Formation of Formators and the continental meeting of Pallottine Formators in Africa. After the three days of work of the Secretariat, there was a meeting of twenty one male and female Pallottine formators who work in Africa, from the following countries:: Cameroon (1), the Ivory Coast (1), South Africa (2), Mozambique (1), Nigeria (1), Tanzania (2 sisters and 2 priests), DR Congo (2 sisters and 3 priests), Rwanda (3 priests and 3 sisters). Sr. Anna Josephine D'Souza of the General Council of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters and Sr. Bellancilla Mukandahiro, Superior of the Our Lady of Kibeho Region (Rwanda e DR Congo). The themes proposed were varied and very interesting: "Aspects of pedagogy according to St. Vincent Pallotti" (Fr. Jean Nepomusceno), "The challenges of vocation promotion in Africa today" (Fr. Gerard Kamegeri and Fr. James Amasi), "The vocation and formation of the Pallottine Brother" (Br. Stephen Buckley), "Towards a culture of ongoing formation" (Fr. Mariusz Malkiewicz), "Criteria of discernment during initial formation" (Fr. Antontio Valdeci), "Accompaniment during initial formation" (Fr. Romuald Uzabumwana), "The Union of Catholic Apostolate" (Fr. Jeremiah Murphy). During the final two days of the meeting, some proposals were drawn up, directed towards the Superiors, who will evaluate them during the Continental Meeting of the Major Superiors in Africa. There were lovely days for spiritual, intellectual and community growth in the shadow of the Marian Shrine, discreetly accompanied by the "Mother of the Word". We take this opportunity to thank the Pallottine confreres and sisters of Kibeho in a special way for their hospitality and service which allowed these meetings to be effective. PHOTO

Tuesday, 10 April 2012 | 581 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

2. Course for the responsible for Ongoing Formation

From the 3rd-11th September in the house of Pallottine Formation, the 'Cenacle' at via G. Ferrari the third summer course organised by the General Secretariat for Formation for those responsible for Ongoing Formation took place. There were 9 present from 9 Provinces/Regions: José Orlando de Carvalho, SP; Manuel de Pierri Primo, SM; Marek Chmielniak, PN; Waldemar Pawlik, WA; Alexander Pietrzyk, FR; Panna Shanti Prakash, RA; James Thaiparambil, BA; Samuel Mbok Ewane, CN; Liam Mc Clarey, IR. Two days were dedicated to theory with the relations of Frs Stanislaw Stawicki (Towards a culture of Permanent Pallottine Formation) and Mariusz Malkiewicz (from theory to practise of Ongoing Formation) based on the book of the expert Amedeo Cencini: Permanent Formation, do we truly believe? The Roman Pallottine Sisters participated at these talks. The participants were able to meet the Rector General of the Society Fr Jacob Nampudakam and Mons. Julio Akamine, our Pallottine brother who has become auxiliary Bishop of Sao Paulo and who was the main author of Chapter 8 of the SAC Ratio concerning Permanent Formation. In the other days the group concentrated on Permanent Formation as it is presented in the Ratio Istituionis of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate and made practical proposals on the three stages: the first years, middle age and advanced age. On two occasions the participants took part in a tour in the footsteps of St Vincent Pallotti in Rome and in the outskirts of the city. After a positive evaluation by the participants the closing Mass was celebrated in the Church of San Salvatore in Onda and was presided by Fr Francois Harelimana, Secretary General for Formation. FormPerm2011

Thursday, 15 September 2011 | 2655 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

3. International Meeting of Pallottine Brothers

An International Meeting of Pallottine Brothers took place in the Mariarani Center, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State, India, from August 8th – 14th. The Meeting was attended by all of the Brothers in India, as well as 4 Brothers who travelled from abroad. The Brothers were supported in their work by over twenty Vocation Promoters and Formators from the three Pallottine entities in India. The presence of our Rector General, Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, for the duration of the Meeting was very much appreciated. A number of conferences were presented by various confreres: "vocation and Mission of Brothers in the SAC"; "Formation of the Brothers according to the Ratio Institutionis SAC"; "The Actual Situation of Religious Brothers in India"; "The Present Apostolic Tasks of Brothers in the SAC". The Meeting also incorporated within itself a number of conferences and issues facing the Indian Church today. The atmosphere at the Meeting was one of fraternity and welcome. From the feedback that the Brothers received, especially from the Vocations Promoters, there is no doubt that the Meeting was a success in terms of raising the level of awareness in regard to the promotion of the vocation of the Brothers in India and their subsequent formation.

Thursday, 15 September 2011 | 3021 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

4. SAC Renewal Course

The summer renewal course for confreres who are celebrating 25 or 50 years of Pallottine Consecration this year, organised by the General Secretatiat for Formation, took place in the International Centre for Pallottine Formation, "the Cenacle" in Rome, from July 16th to 23rd 2011. Twelve confreres (10 priests and 2 brothers) from 7 different countries [Poland (5), India (2), Congo (1), Ireland (1), Australia (1), Uruguay (1) and Brazil (1)] participated in this meeting. The central theme was Pallottine Consecration viewed from different perspectives: "The teaching on consecrated life in the Month of May of 1833" (Fr. Jan Kupka); "A theology of relationship in Pallotti" (Fr. Stanisław Stawicki); "Pallotti's relationship with the regular clergy (Fr. Stanisław Stawicki); "Pallotti's relationship with the brothers (Br. Stephen Buckley); "Pallotti's relationship with religious sisters" (Sr. Daniela Siniscalchi, CSAC); "Pallottine Consecration" (Fr. François Harelimana); "Different paths of holiness in the footsteps of Saint Vincent Pallotti" (Fr. Jan Korycki). The closing Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. François Harelimana, General Consultor, in the church of SS. Salvatore in Onda.

Wednesday, 27 July 2011 | 3594 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

5. Meeting of Vocation Promoters of the Pallottine Family

The Vocation Promoters of the Pallottine Family in Europe, USA and Australia met together from 4 to 6 April 2011 in the International Centre for Pallottine Formation at Via Giuseppe Ferrari, Rome. The participants were: Fr. Frank Donio, SAC (IC, USA), Sr. Carmel Therese Favazzo, CSAC (USA), Fr. Aliaksandr Sushynski, SAC (PN, Belorussia), Fr. Andy Givel, SAC (CH, Switzerland), Sr. Maria Landsburger, SAC (Generalate of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters), Fr. Emmet O'Hara, SAC (IR, Ireland), Fr. Andrzej Partika, SAC (PN, Poland), Sr. Danuta Przybyłek, SAC (Poland), Fr. Eugene San, SAC (AU, Australia), Fr. Gregory Serwa, SAC (MD, USA), Sr. Daniela Siniscalchi, CSAC (Italy), Fr. Wojciech Świderski, SAC (WA, Poland), Fr. Mariusz Futyma, SAC (FR, France), Fr. Piotr Klubert, SAC (WA, Czech Republic), Fr. Paweł Goraj, SAC (WA, Ukraine), Fr. Jochen Ruiner, SAC (CJ, Germany). Three conferences were held during this meeting: Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, Rector General, on the theme "Vocation Promotion- A choice in favour of life"; Fr. François Harelimana, General Secretary for Formation on the theme "Reflections on Pallottine Vocation Promotion"; Fr. Mario Oscar Llanos, SDB, President of the Institute of Vocation Promotion of the Pontifical Salesian University on the theme "An overview of Vocation Promotion today". Some proposals emerged from the reflections of the participants on these themes: 1. Make everyone aware of the urgency of vocation promotion today; 2. Have a common plan for vocation promotion, at the levels of Provinces/Regions and Local Communities; 3. Be open to new strategies of vocation promotion; 4. Dedicate every 22nd of the month to prayer for vocations by all members of the Union; 5. Promote an international programme of volunteers in order to give the young people the experience of Pallottine charism; 6. Nominate experienced persons to get in contact with the youth and utilize modern means of communication, both electronic and printed, in order to promote vocations; 7. Make every effort to promote vocations through good coordination in our entities together with the Christian communities, both at the local and diocesan levels; 8. Constitute a Commission which will prepare a document on vocation promotion based on actual situations for the use of vocation promoters. We thank the Superior Generals of the three Core Communities of the Union for promoting this vocation promotion initiative as a common commitment. Thanks to the International Pallottine Centre "Cenacle" for the hospitality. Our gratitude also to the translators who have facilitated good communication during the meeting.

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 | 4128 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

6. Planning meeting for the common Novitiate

On January 27th and 28th, a planning meeting for the common Novitiate, which will take place during the months of May and June 2011, was held in the General House of the SAC in Rome. The first experience which took place in 2009 was evaluated positively by all of the entities involved (candidates from the Preparatory Formation from Italy, Ireland and Germany, and the Italian Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate participated). Present at this meeting were: Sr. Daniela Siniscalchi, CSAC, Sr. Josephine D'Souza, SAC, Fr. Andrea Fulco (IT), Fr. Michael Irwin (IR), Fr. Jochen Ruiner (CJ), Fr. Derry Murphy (coordinator of the meeting) and Fr. François Harelimana, General Secretary for Formation. The Rector General Fr. Jacob Nampudakam began the work by stressing the importance of this common project for the three Foundational Communities and hoping that it will be lived in a true spirit of communion and collaboration. The programme will begin on Sunday May 8th and finish on June 14th and 12 novices will participate in it (6 German, 4 Irish, 1 North American (MD – US) and one German novice sister from the Missionary Sisters).

Monday, 07 February 2011 | 3619 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

7. Annual Course for Pallottine Formators

The Annual Course for Pallottine Formators was started in October 2010 with a group consisting of eleven Pallottine priests and seven Pallottine sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. From 6 to 9 October, the first seminar on Group Dynamics, Communication and Fraternal Life was conducted by our confrere from Rwanda, Fr. Romuald Uzabumwana. Every morning, from Monday to Friday, there is the process of Pallottine formation, guided by our confreres: Fr. Jan Kupka, Fr. Franco Todisco, Fr. Derry Murphy, Fr. Stanisław Stawicki and Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, Rector General, and our Pallottine sisters: Sr. Ignes Burin, Sr. Lilia Capretti and Sr. Isabella Świerad, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. Every Monday and Tuesday afternoon, the formators participate at the "Annual Course" organised by the Institute of Theology of Consecrated Life, "Claretianum" of the Pontifical Lateran University and every Wednesday they participate at the course organised by the "Practical School of Theology and Canon Law for Consecrated Life" at the Urbanian University. There is in everyone the desire to make a personal journey of growth according to God's will, to know more profoundly Pallottine spirituality and to experience fraternal life in the context of an international community.

Tuesday, 23 November 2010 | 4000 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

8. Formation meeting for Pallottine Formators

From 25 to 27 February 2010, once again in the House of Preparatory Formation in Wadowice (WA), a formation meeting was held for Pallottine formators, consisting of Pallottine priests and sisters, from Poland, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Altogether were present 17 confreres from the SAC – 11 from the Province of "Christ the King" and 6 from the Province of the Annunciation of the Lord – 7 sisters from the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate, 8 members of the General Secretariat for Formation and two Provincial Rectors, Fr. Jozef Lasak (WA) and Fr. Kazimierz Czulak (PN). The meeting was organised by the Formation Secretariats of the two Polish Provinces, guided by Fr. Mariusz Malchiewick and Fr. Marek Chmielniak as well as by Sr. Eva Brandt, member of the Provincial Council of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters, responsible for formation. It was, above all, a course of formation for the Pallottine formators, reflecting on each stage of formation, from initial to permanent formation. After the conferences, there were always different group dynamics in order to integrate the various themes into the actual formative contexts and into the personal experiences of the participants. The formators also had the opportunity to discuss with the two Provincial Rectors present the concrete formation issues of the Provinces. The concluding Mass was presided over by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, General Consultor and General Secretary for Formation and assisted by the Provincial Rectors. PHOTO

Monday, 08 March 2010 | 4066 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

9. Meeting of the General Secretariat for Formation 2010

From 21 to 23 February 2010, the meeting of the General Secretariat for Formation was held in the House of Preparatory Formation of the Christ the King Province (WA) in Wadowice, Poland, with the participation of all its members: Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, General Secretary; Fr. Stanislaw Stawicki, Secretary; Fr. Derry Murphy (IR), Fr. Thomas Lemp (CJ), Fra Stephen Buckley (IR), Fr. Mariusz Malkiewicz (WA), Fr. Antonio de Almeida Valdeci (SP) and Fr. Romuald Uzabumwana (SF). Many topics were discussed during this meeting: the programme of formation of brothers of the SAC, the criteria of discernment for every stage of formation, the organisation of the summer courses and the annual course for Pallottine formators, the coordination of Pallotti Institutes around the world, the proposal of a meeting of those responsible for ongoing formation in the Society in 2011, preparation of the bulletin "Bethlehem" etc...A theme of great importance was the examination of the Ratio Istitutionis SAC in the light of Motion n. 4 and Recommendation n. 9, approved by the XIX General Assembly. During these days of presence in Wadowice, the members of the General Secretariat had also the opportunity to meet with the candidates of Preparatory Formation of the two Polish Provinces and a candidate of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate on the last day of their meeting «Novinpal», guided by Fr. Stanislaw Stawicki.

Monday, 08 March 2010 | 3875 hits | Print | PDF |  Email

10. Second formation meeting of the Brothers of the SAC

The second formation meeting of the Brothers of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate was held from 25-31 July 2009 at the International Centre for Pallottine Formation, with the participation of 23 Brothers coming from all over the world. The meeting was organized by the General Secretariat for Formation and had the principal scope of giving a new impetus to the vocation and mission of Brothers in our Society and the Union of Catholic Apostolate today. This year, the focus was on the formation of Brothers. As always, this formation meeting too included inputs on Pallottine themes related to the vocation, mission and formation of the Brothers, sharing of their apostolic activities, visits to the Pallottine places in Rome, sharing, prayer, Eucharistic celebration and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Numerous concrete proposals were also made at the end of the meeting like the publication of the literature related to Brothers, conducting further formation sessions for Brothers at the Provincial/Regional levels, preparation of a complete formation programme for Brothers as part of the Ratio Institutionis SAC, and encouraging the Indian Pallottine entities to take steps to promote the vocation to Brotherhood. The vocation and mission of the Brothers today will be also a theme for reflection in the forthcoming General Assembly 2010. PHOTOS

Monday, 14 September 2009 | 5308 hits | Print | PDF |  Email